Information recording medium, recording apparatus and method for an information recording medium, reproducing apparatus and method for an information recording medium computer program for controlling record or reproduction, and data structure including control signal

ABSTRACT

An information recording medium ( 100 ) is provided with: a user data area ( 108 ) for recording therein record data; a plurality of temporary defect management areas ( 104, 105 ) for temporarily recording therein defect management information ( 120 ) which is a basis of defect management for a defect in the data area; and a flag area ( 111 ) for recording therein distinction information for distinguishing a temporary defect management area in which the defect management information that is effective is recorded, from the plurality of temporary defect management areas, the distinction information being recorded as a type of a combination pattern of an area set to be in a recorded condition and an area left to be in an unrecorded condition according to a predetermined rule, in the flag area.

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/567,652,filed on Feb. 9, 2006, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference, which is a national stage entry ofPCT/JP04/10771, filed Jul. 22, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an information recording medium, arecording apparatus for and a recording method of recording the recorddata onto the information recording medium, a reproducing apparatus forand a reproducing method of reproducing the record data recorded on theinformation recording medium, a computer program for controlling recordor reproduction, and a data structure including a control signal forcontrolling record or reproduction.

BACKGROUND ART

As a technique of improving the reliability of the recording and readingof the record data on a high-density recording medium, such as anoptical disc, a magnetic disc, and a magneto optical disc, there isdefect management. Namely, when there are scratches or dusts, ordeterioration (which are collectively referred to as a “defect”) on therecording medium, the data to be recorded or already recorded at theposition of the defect is recorded into another area on the recordingmedium (which is referred to as a “spare area”). In this manner, byevacuating the record data, which is possibly imperfectly orincompletely recorded or read because of the defect, to the spare area,it is possible to improve the reliability of the recording and readingof the record data (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laying Open NO.Hei 11-185390).

In general, a defect list is made to perform the defect management. Onthe defect list, there are recorded address information for indicatingthe position of a defect on the recording medium, and addressinformation for indicating the position of the spare area (e.g. arecording position in the spare area) to which the data to be recordedor already recorded at the position of the defect is evacuated.

In general, the defect list is made when an initial logical format forinitializing the recording medium or recording file-system data or thelike is performed. The defect list is also made when the record data isrecorded onto the recording medium. When the record data is recorded andrewritten several times, the defect list is made or updated whenever therecord data is recorded and rewritten and a defect area is detected, orwhenever the record data is evacuated to the spare area. Moreover, thedefect list may be made when the record data is reproduced from therecording medium. For example, if a predetermined number or more of datais error-corrected with respect to a predetermined unit (e.g. a sectorunit or and a cluster unit) of the record data when the record data isreproduced, the predetermined unit of the record data is judged ordetermined to be a defect which cannot be error-corrected in the futureand will be an object of the evacuation. As described above, the defectlist is made or updated whenever the record data is evacuated to thespare area.

When the record data is recorded onto the recording medium, the defectlist is referred to. This allows the recording of the record data ontothe recording medium away from the position of a defect. On the otherhand, the defect list is also referred to when the record data recordedon the recording medium is reproduced or read. This makes it possible tosurely read both the record data recorded in a normal recording area andthe record data recorded in the spare area because of the presence of adefect, on the basis of the defect list.

If the defect list is managed by a recording apparatus itself forrecording the data, the defect list is generally recorded into aspecific area on the recording medium, which is the object of the makingor updating of the defect list. The defect list is read from therecording medium when the record data recorded on the recording mediumis reproduced or when other record data is rewritten or additionallyrecorded (i.e. written once). Then the defect list is referred to in areading operation by a reading apparatus or in a reproduction operationby a reproducing apparatus.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

If the defect list is managed by the recording apparatus, the defectlist is recorded into the specific area on the recording medium. Forexample, in the case of a rewritable-type optical disc using a bluelaser, the defect list is recorded into a predetermined area (which ishereinafter referred to as a “defect management area”) reserved in alead-in area or lead-out area on the disc. The record data to beoriginally recorded at the position of a defect is also recorded intothe specific area on the recording medium.

As described above, the defect list is updated whenever the record datais recorded and rewritten and the defect area is found at the position,or whenever the record data is evacuated to the spare area. Then, thedefect list is overwritten or additionally recorded (i.e. written once)in the defect management area on the recording medium which is theobject of the recording and rewriting, at an appropriate timing afterthe defect list is updated by the recording and rewriting of the recorddata. In addition, the record data to be originally recorded at theposition of a defect is also overwritten or additionally recorded (i.e.written once) into the specific area on the recording medium.

Such updating of the defect list by rewriting it can be realized only incase that the recording medium is rewritable-type. In case that therecording medium is a so-called “write-once-type information recordingmedium”, e.g., a write-once-type optical disc, after the defect list isupdated, the updated defect list is additionally recorded (i.e. writtenonce) in a new unrecorded or blank area of the information recordingmedium at an appropriate timing, for example.

However, if the defect list is additionally recorded (i.e. writtenonce), it is hard or impossible to judge, in reproducing, at whichposition of the recording medium the newest defect list is recorded, andit is necessary to search the reserved area for recording the defectlist, thoroughly. Also, even for the recording medium on which thereserved area for recording the defect list is dispersed at a pluralityof points, it is necessary to search the plurality of areas thoroughlyin the same manner.

In such circumstances, particularly in the high-density recordingmedium, such as the optical disc, there is the problem that a timelength required for searching for the newest defect list increases, andthus that the efficiency of the reproducing or recording deteriorates.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide: aninformation recording medium on which the updated defect list can beefficiently searched for; a recording apparatus for and a recordingmethod of recording the record data onto the information recordingmedium; a reproducing apparatus for and a reproducing method ofreproducing the record data recorded on the information recordingmedium; a computer program used for the recording apparatus or thereproducing apparatus; and a data structure including a control signalfor controlling record or reproduction.

(Information Recording Medium)

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording medium provided with: a data area for recordingtherein record data; a plurality of temporary defect management areasfor temporarily recording therein defect management information which isa basis of defect management for a defect in the data area; and a flagarea for recording therein distinction information for distinguishing atemporary defect management area in which the defect managementinformation that is effective is recorded, from the plurality oftemporary defect management areas, the distinction information beingrecorded as a type of a combination pattern of an area set to be in arecorded condition and an area left to be in an unrecorded conditionaccording to a predetermined rule, in the flag area.

According to the information recording medium of the present invention,the record data which is mainly the object of reproduction or executionand which includes, e.g., image data; audio data; text data; contentsdata; a computer program; or the like can be recorded into the dataarea. Then, it is possible to appropriately record and reproduce therecord data recorded in the data area by recording, into a controlinformation recording area described later, for example, controlinformation which includes: information for indicating the attribute andtype of the information recording medium of the present invention;information for managing the address of the record data; information forcontrolling the recording and reading operations of a drive apparatus;or the like. Incidentally, the record data and the control informationcannot be always clearly classified in accordance with the contentthereof. However, the control information is mainly used directly forthe operation control of the drive apparatus, while the record data ismainly only the object of recording and reading and is mainly used in adata reproduction operation or in a program execution operation by abackend or a host computer.

The defect management information of the data area is temporarilyrecorded into the temporary defect management area. The “defectmanagement information” in the present invention is information used forthe defect management, and includes: an evacuation source address, whichis an address of the position of a defect in the data area; and anevacuation destination address, which is an address of the recordingposition of evacuation data that corresponds to the record data to beoriginally recorded or already recorded at the position of the defect.The defect management is as follows. When there is a defect, such asscratches, dusts, or deterioration, in or on the information recordingmedium of the present invention, the record data is recorded into aposition away from the position of the defect. At the same time, theevacuation data is recorded into the spare area which is an area forrecording therein the record data away from the defect. Moreover, thefollowing processing is also performed as a part of the defectmanagement: recognizing processing which recognizes the position of adefect when the record data recorded on the information recording mediumis reproduced; and reading processing which reads the evacuation datafrom the spare area.

Moreover, the defect management information is preferably recordedsequentially (i.e. in series or continuously). Even if it is notsequentially recorded, it is possible to obtain a reasonable effect.

For example, the temporary defect management area is an area fortemporarily recording therein the defect management information untilthe information recording medium of the present invention is finalized.Therefore, in reproducing the record data recorded on the informationrecording medium until it is finalized, the defect management isperformed by reading the defect management information from thetemporary defect management area.

Particularly, in the present invention, the information recording mediumis provided with the plurality of (i.e. two or more) temporary defectmanagement areas, and the effective defect management information isrecorded in any one of the areas. The “effect defect managementinformation” in the present invention indicates the newest defectmanagement information and indicates the defect management informationhaving information about the defect detected on the data area at presenttime. Hereinafter, the temporary defect management area includingtherein the effective defect management information is referred to as an“in-use temporary defect management area”.

In addition, the distinction information is recorded in the flag area,and it indicates in which temporary defect management area the effectivedefect management information is recorded. Namely, it indicates thein-use temporary defect management area (i.e. the position and addressthereof or the like) out of the plurality of temporary defect managementareas.

Therefore, when, e.g., the reproducing apparatus described laterreproduces the record data, it is possible to specify the temporarydefect management area in which the effective defect managementinformation is recorded relatively easily and efficiently by referringto the flag area. If, there is not such a flag area, the reproducingapparatus described later needs to search for the in-use temporarydefect management area by thoroughly searching the plurality oftemporary defect management areas. However, according to the informationrecording medium of the present invention, it is possible to search forthe in-use temporary defect management area by referring to the flagarea without thoroughly searching the plurality of temporary defectmanagement areas as described above. Namely, it is possible to searchfor the effective defect management information more efficiently, and asa result, it is possible to speed up the reproduction operation.

Moreover, according to the present invention, the distinctioninformation is recorded as a type of a combination pattern of an areaset to be in a recorded condition and an area left to be in anunrecorded condition according to a predetermined rule, in the flagarea. Here, the “recorded condition” in the present invention indicatessuch a condition that some record data is written in the flag unit arearegardless of whether or not the written record data means something. Onthe contrary, the “unrecorded condition” in the present inventionindicates such a condition that the record data is not written at all.Therefore, it is unnecessary to write the new distinction informationinto the new flag area whenever the in-use temporary defect managementarea is changed. Namely, even in the case of the write-once-type, it ispossible to write the distinction information, as a combination patternof the recorded condition and the unrecorded condition in the flag area,by changing the area in the unrecorded condition in the flag area, whichis assigned in advance according to the number of the temporary defectmanagement areas, to the area in the recorded condition by writing somedata. Therefore, it is unnecessary to increase the flag area or thedistinction information in order to write the distinction informationwhich causes such a remarkable effect, as described above. And it ispossible to save the area on the information recording medium. Thus, thepresent invention is extremely useful, particularly for thewrite-once-type information recording medium.

At this time, information for indicating each position or the like ofthe plurality of temporary defect management areas on the informationrecording medium of the present invention may be recorded in the controlinformation recording area described later, for example.

Consequently, according to the information recording medium of thepresent invention, it is possible to distinguish the in-use temporarydefect management area more efficiently. Therefore, it is possible tosearch for the updated (i.e. the newest) defect management information(i.e. defect list) efficiently. This makes it possible to improve theefficiency of the record or reproduction operation of the record data(i.e. to speed up, to simplify the operation, or the like) even underoperating the defect management.

Incidentally, it is preferable that the plurality of temporary defectmanagement areas area used in series or continuously. Namely, after afree space (or unrecorded area) runs out in one temporary defectmanagement area, it is preferable to use another temporary defectmanagement area. It is also preferable that the order to use isdetermined in advance. The information may be recorded in the controlinformation recording area described later, in other areas, or the like.

Moreover, the information recording medium of the present invention ispreferably a write-once-type information recording medium. Even if it isa rewritable-type information recording medium, it is possible toproperly receive the benefits owned by the information recording mediumof the present invention.

In one aspect of the information recording medium of the presentinvention, if the information recording medium is provided with “n”temporary defect management areas (n: integral number, n≧2), the flagarea includes “n−1” flag unit areas.

According to this aspect, it is possible to distinguish the “n”temporary defect management areas by using the “n−1” flag unit areas.Here, the “flag unit area” in the present invention indicates arecording area having a predetermined size included in the flag area.Namely, the above-described distinction information is shown by usingthe combination of the “n−1” flag unit areas. Moreover, if the “n−1”flag unit areas is equipped, even on the write-once-type informationrecording medium, which is capable of recording the record data onlyonce at each position, it is possible to distinguish the temporarydefect management area including therin the effective defect managementinformation from the “n” temporary defect management areas.

Particularly, as the “n” takes a large number, it is more difficult tospecify the temporary defect management area in which the effectivedefect management information is recorded. The reason is that moresearching processes are necessary in order to search all the temporarydefect management areas thoroughly. According to the informationrecording medium of the present invention, it is possible to efficientlysearch for it regardless of the number of temporary defect managementareas.

As described above, in an aspect of the information recording mediumincluding the “n−1” flag unit areas, the distinction information isindicated as an entire flag area by that each of the “n−1” flag unitareas is in the recorded condition or in the unrecorded condition.

By constituting in this manner, the type of the above-describedcombination pattern is constructed by combining two types of conditionsowned by each of the “n−1” flag unit areas. As a result, it is possibleto distinguish the in-use temporary defect management area.

With respect to the write-once-type information recording medium, ifonce the flag unit area is set to be in the recorded condition, it isdifficult to set the flag unit area to be in the unrecorded condition.However, even in the case of the write-once-type information recordingmedium, if the “n−1” flag unit areas are provided, as described above,it is possible to appropriately record them as the distinctioninformation, according to the type of the combination pattern obtainedby combining the recorded condition and the unrecorded condition.

As descried above, in an aspect of the information recording medium onwhich each of the flag unit areas is in the recorded condition or in theunrecorded condition, backup data corresponding to the record data isrecorded into at least one flag unit area in the recorded condition outof the “n−1” flag unit areas.

By constituting in this manner, the flag unit area can function not onlyas the flag area but also as a backup area. By this, it is possible togive the two functions to the flag unit areas of the flag area, and itis possible to receive the benefits owned by the information recordingmedium of the present invention.

Incidentally, it may be constructed not to limited to record therein thebackup data, but to record therein the record data that is intended tobe used for some application after recording. Alternatively, it may beconstructed to record therein the record data having some meanings forother applications.

In an aspect of the information recording medium having the “n−1” flagunit areas, each of the “n−1” flag unit areas corresponds to thesmallest recording area of the information recording medium.

By constituting in this manner, it is possible to reduce recordingcapacity for reserving as the flag area much more. Therefore, it ispossible to search for the in-use temporary defect management area byusing the flag area while keeping down the recording capacity requiredfor the flag area.

Moreover, by setting each flag unit area to the smallest recording areaof the information recording medium, it is possible to record theinformation into the flag area, as one portion of a normal recordoperation on the recording apparatus described later, and it is possibleto read the information from the flag area, as one portion of a normalreproduction operation on the reproducing apparatus described later.

Incidentally, even if each of the “n−1” flag unit areas is not thesmallest recording area in size but an area having an arbitrary size, itis possible to receive the various benefits owned by the above-describedinformation recording medium of the present invention. The sizes of the“n−1” flag unit areas may be the same, or may be different from eachother.

In another aspect of the information recording medium of the presentinvention, the flag area is disposed on an inner circumferential side ofthe information recording medium.

According to this aspect, it is easy to access the flag area, forexample. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a processing load requiredfor the distinction of the in-use temporary defect management area.

Incidentally, even if the flag area is not on the inner circumferentialside, e.g., even if it is on an outer circumferential side of theinformation recording medium or at an arbitrary position, it is possibleto distinguish the in-use temporary defect management area.

In another aspect of the information recording medium of the presentinvention, the information recording medium is further provided with acontrol information recording area for recording therein information forcontrolling at least one of recording and reading with respect to thedata area, the flag area being disposed in the control informationrecording area.

According to this aspect, it is possible to refer to the distinctioninformation included in the flag area at the same time of accessing thecontrol information in reproducing or recording. Therefore, it ispossible to refer to the distinction information as a series ofoperations accompanying the normal operations in initial setting or thelike of the information recording medium, for example. This makes itpossible to select the in-use temporary defect management area moreefficiently. As a result, it is possible to search for the updateddefect management information relatively easily and more efficiently.

Incidentally, the control information recording area may include adefinite defect management area for recording therein the defectmanagement information. This makes it possible to maintain thecompatibility between the write-once-type information recording mediumout of the information recoding medium of the present invention and therewritable-type information recording medium, for example.

In another aspect of the information recording medium of the presentinvention, the flag area is disposed in one temporary defect managementarea out of the plurality of temporary defect management areas.

According to this aspect, it is possible to record the distinctioninformation without mixing it with the record data, which includes theaudio data and the video data or the like.

If the temporary defect management area to be accessed first isdetermined by default on the recording apparatus or reproducingapparatus described later, for example, the flag area is preferablydisposed in the temporary defect management area to be accessed first.This makes it possible to obtain the effective defect managementinformation more efficiently.

Incidentally, even if the flag area is not disposed in the temporarydefect management area, for example, even if disposed in the data areaor the spare area or the like, it is possible to distinguish the in-usetemporary defect management area.

As described above, in an aspect of the information recording mediumwherein the flag area is disposed in the one temporary defect managementarea, the flag area is disposed at an end portion of the one temporarydefect management area.

According to this aspect, it is possible to facilitate the access to theflag area on the recording apparatus and the reproducing apparatusdescribed later, for example.

The start address and the size or the like of the temporary defectmanagement area can be recognized relatively easily because it isdisposed in the above-described control information recording area.

(Recording Apparatus and Method)

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by a recordingapparatus for recording record data onto an information recording mediumprovided with: (i) a data area for recording therein the record data;(ii) a plurality of temporary defect management areas for temporarilyrecording therein defect management information which is a basis ofdefect management for a defect in the data area; and (iii) a flag areafor recording therein distinction information for distinguishing atemporary defect management area in which the defect managementinformation that is effective is recorded, from the plurality oftemporary defect management areas, the distinction information beingrecorded as a type of a combination pattern of an area set to be in arecorded condition and an area left to be in an unrecorded conditionaccording to a predetermined rule, in the flag area, the recordingapparatus provided with: a first recording device for recording at leastone of the record data and the defect management information; and asecond recording device for updating and recording the distinctioninformation, if the temporary defect management area in which theeffective defect management information is recorded is changed, bychanging the area left to be in the unrecorded condition to the area inthe recorded condition according to the changed temporary defectmanagement area and thus by changing the combination pattern.

According to the recoding apparatus of the present invention, it ispossible to appropriately record the record data onto theabove-described information recording medium of the present invention byusing the first and second recording devices, which includes: an opticalpickup; a controller for controlling the optical pickup; or the like,for example.

Specifically, firstly, the first recording device records the recorddata into the data area of the information recording medium. In themeantime, the defect management information, which includes, e.g., thedefect list for indicating the position of a defect on the informationrecording medium, is made by a defect-management-information generatingdevice on the recording apparatus of the present invention, for example.It may be constructed such that the made or obtained defect managementinformation is stored into a memory device which includes a memory suchas RAM.

Then, the first recording device records the defect managementinformation made in this manner into the temporary defect managementarea. There may be various times when the first recording device recordsthe defect management information into the temporary defect managementarea, but the times described as following is conceivable: e.g.,immediately after the information recording medium is initialized orformatted; after a series of record data is recorded onto theinformation recording medium; immediately after a defect is detected bychecking the recording (by verifying); or the like. In addition, thefirst recording device records the evacuation data into the spare area.

Particularly in the present invention, if the temporary defectmanagement area in which the effective defect management information isrecorded is changed between before and after the recording of the defectmanagement information by the first recording device, the secondrecording device records or updates the distinction information. Namely,if the area in which the effective defect management information isrecorded is changed from one temporary defect management area to anothertemporary defect management area out of the plurality of temporarydefect management areas, for example, the second recording devicerecords the fact as the distinction information into the flag area.Specifically, the second recording device changes the area left to be inthe unrecorded condition to the area in the recorded condition and thuschanges the combination pattern. This makes it possible to appropriatelyrecord and update the distinction information into the flag area.

Consequently, according to the recording apparatus of the presentinvention, it is possible to appropriately record the record data ontothe above-described information recording medium of the presentinvention, and also it is possible to receive various benefits owned bythe information recording medium.

Incidentally, in response to various aspects of the above-describedinformation recording medium of the present invention, the recordingapparatus of the present invention can also take various aspects.

Moreover, it may be constructed such that the defect managementinformation is obtained from the information recording medium or viaother communication channels. In this case, it is preferably constructedsuch that the defect management information generating device is capableof obtaining the defect management information from the informationrecording medium or via the other communication channels, in place ofmaking or updating the defect management information.

If the information recording medium is an optical recording medium, anoptical pickup is preferable as a direct recording device for directlyrecording the data or information onto the information recording medium.If the information recording medium is magnetic, magneto optical, orother types, such as a type of using the change of a dielectricconstant, a pickup, a head, or a probe or the like suitable for the typeof the information recording medium may be used.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by a recordingmethod of recording record data onto an information recording mediumprovided with: (i) a data area for recording therein the record data;(ii) a plurality of temporary defect management areas for temporarilyrecording therein defect management information which is a basis ofdefect management for a defect in the data area; and (iii) a flag areafor recording therein distinction information for distinguishing atemporary defect management area in which the defect managementinformation that is effective is recorded, from the plurality oftemporary defect management areas, the distinction information beingrecorded as a type of a combination pattern of an area set to be in arecorded condition and an area left to be in an unrecorded conditionaccording to a predetermined rule, in the flag area, the recordingmethod provided with: a first recording process of recording at leastone of the record data and the defect management information; and asecond recording process of updating and recording the distinctioninformation, if the temporary defect management area in which theeffective defect management information is recorded is changed, bychanging the area left to be in the unrecorded condition to the area inthe recorded condition according to the changed temporary defectmanagement area and thus by changing the combination pattern.

According to the recording method of the present invention, as with theabove-described recording apparatus of the present invention, it ispossible to appropriately record the record data onto theabove-described information recording medium of the present invention(including its various aspects), and also it is possible to receivevarious benefits owned by the information recording medium.

Incidentally, in response to various aspects of the above-describedrecording apparatus (or the information recording medium) of the presentinvention, the recording method of the present invention can also takevarious aspects.

(Reproducing Apparatus and Method)

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by areproducing apparatus for reproducing record data recorded on aninformation recording medium provided with: (i) a data area forrecording therein the record data; (ii) a plurality of temporary defectmanagement areas for temporarily recording therein defect managementinformation which is a basis of defect management for a defect in thedata area; and (iii) a flag area for recording therein distinctioninformation for distinguishing a temporary defect management area inwhich the defect management information that is effective is recorded,from the plurality of temporary defect management areas, the distinctioninformation being recorded as a type of a combination pattern of an areaset to be in a recorded condition and an area left to be in anunrecorded condition according to a predetermined rule, in the flagarea, the reproducing apparatus provided with: a selecting device forreading the distinction information and selecting the temporary defectmanagement area in which the effective defect management information isrecorded from the plurality of temporary defect management areas; areading device for reading the effective defect management informationfrom the selected temporary defect management area; and a reproducingdevice for reproducing the record data recorded in the data area on thebasis of the read defect management information.

According to the reproducing apparatus of the present invention, it ispossible to appropriately reproduce the record data recorded on theabove-described information recording medium of the present invention,by using the reading device, which includes: an optical pickup; acontroller for controlling the optical pickup; or the like, and thereproducing device, which includes: a decoder for converting the imagedata to a image signal which can be displayed on a display; or the like.

Specifically, at first, the selecting device, which includes a ControlProcessing Unit (CPU) or the like, reads the distinction informationrecorded in the flag area. Particularly, the CPU recognizes the area inthe recorded condition and the area in the unrecorded condition in theflag area, and reads the distinction information by distinguishing thetype of the combination pattern. Then, the CPU selects the temporarydefect management area in which the effective defect managementinformation is recorded, from the recording content of the distinctioninformation. Then, the reading device reads the effective defectmanagement information recorded in the selected (i.e. in-use) temporarydefect management area. The effective defect management information maybe stored into the memory device, such as a memory. In recording, therecord data is recorded away from a defect in the data area on theinformation recording medium. Namely, the record data to be recorded oralready recorded at the position of the defect in the data area isevacuated to the spare area, for example. Thus, in order to reproducethe record data recorded in this manner, it is necessary to know theposition of the defect in the data area. Thus, the reproducing devicerecognizes the position of the defect in the data area on the basis ofthe defect management information (i.e. the effective defect managementinformation) read by the reading device and recognizes the position atwhich the record data is recorded away from the defect, thereby toreproduce the record data recorded in the data area or the evacuationdata recorded in the spare area.

Consequently, it is possible to appropriately reproduce the record datarecorded on the above-described information recording medium, and alsoit is possible to receive various benefits owned by the informationrecording medium.

Incidentally, in response to various aspects of the above-describedinformation recording medium of the present invention, the reproducingapparatus of the present invention can also take various aspects.

In one aspect of the reproducing apparatus of the present invention, theflag area has a plurality of flag unit areas and each of the pluralityof flag unit areas is in the recorded condition or in the unrecordedcondition, and the selecting device selects the temporary defectmanagement area in which the effective defect management information isrecorded by judging in which condition of the recorded condition and theunrecorded condition at least one of said plurality of flag unit areasis.

According to this aspect, it is possible to obtain the effective defectmanagement information relatively easily by referring to the distinctioninformation which is recorded by appropriately combining the two typesof recording conditions of the recorded condition and the unrecordedcondition.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by areproducing method of reproducing record data recorded on an informationrecording medium provided with: (i) a data area for recording thereinthe record data; (ii) a plurality of temporary defect management areasfor temporarily recording therein defect management information which isa basis of defect management for a defect in the data area; and (iii) aflag area for recording therein distinction information fordistinguishing a temporary defect management area in which the defectmanagement information that is effective is recorded, from the pluralityof temporary defect management areas, the distinction information beingrecorded as a type of a combination pattern of an area set to be in arecorded condition and an area left to be in an unrecorded conditionaccording to a predetermined rule, in the flag area, the reproducingmethod provided with: a selecting process of reading the distinctioninformation and selecting the temporary defect management area in whichthe effective defect management information is recorded from theplurality of temporary defect management areas; a reading process ofreading the effective defect management information from the selectedtemporary defect management area; and a reproducing process ofreproducing the record data recorded in the data area on the basis ofthe read defect management information.

According to the reproducing method of the present invention, as withthe above-described reproducing apparatus of the present invention, itis possible to appropriately reproduce the record data recorded on theinformation recording medium of the present invention (including itsvarious aspects), and also it is possible to receive various benefitsowned by the information recording medium.

Incidentally, in response to various aspects of the above-describedreproducing apparatus (or the information recording medium) of thepresent invention, the reproducing method of the present invention canalso take various aspects.

(Computer Program)

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by a firstcomputer program for recording control to control a computer provided inthe above-described recording apparatus of the present invention(including its various aspects) to make the computer function as atleast one of the first recording device and the second recording device.

According to the first computer program for recording control of thepresent invention, the information recording apparatus of the presentinvention mentioned above may be realized relatively easily, by readingand running the computer program from a recording medium, such as a ROM,a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a hard disk and so on, which stores the computerprogram thereon, or by downloading the computer program to the computervia the communication device and running it.

Incidentally, in response to various aspects of the above-describedinformation recording medium of the present invention, the firstcomputer program of the present invention can also take various aspects.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by a secondcomputer program for reproduction control to control a computer providedin the above-described reproducing apparatus of the present invention(including its various aspects) to make the computer function as atleast one of the selecting device, the reading device, and thereproducing device.

According to the second computer program for reproduction control of thepresent invention, the information reproducing apparatus of the presentinvention mentioned above may be realized relatively easily, by readingand running the computer program from a recording medium, such as a ROM,a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a hard disk and so on, which stores the computerprogram thereon, or by downloading the computer program to the computervia the communication device and running it.

Incidentally, in response to various aspects of the above-describedinformation recording medium of the present invention, the secondcomputer program of the present invention can also take various aspects.

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by afirst computer program product for record control in a computer-readablemedium for tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by acomputer provided for the above-mentioned recording apparatus of thepresent invention (including various aspects), the program making thecomputer function as at least one portion of the first recording deviceand the second recording device.

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by asecond computer program product for reproduction control in acomputer-readable medium for tangibly embodying a program ofinstructions executable by a computer provided for the above-mentionedreproducing apparatus of the present invention (including variousaspects), the program making the computer function as at least oneportion of the selecting device, the reading device and the reproducingdevice.

According to the first or second computer program product of theinvention, at least one portion of the first recording device, thesecond recording device, the selecting device, the reading device andthe reproducing device of the present invention mentioned above may beembodied relatively easily, by reading and running the first or secondcomputer program product from a record medium, such as a ROM, a CD-ROM,a DVD-ROM, a hard disk and so on, which stores the computer programthereon, or by downloading the first or second computer program productto the computer via the communication device and running it. Morespecifically, the first or second computer program product may be madeof computer readable codes (or computer readable commands) to make thecomputer function as at least one portion of the first recording device,the second recording device, the selecting device, the reading deviceand the reproducing device.

(Data Structure Including Control Signal)

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by a datastructure provided with: a data area for recording therein record data;a plurality of temporary defect management areas for temporarilyrecording therein defect management information which is a basis ofdefect management for a defect in the data area; and a flag area forrecording therein distinction information for distinguishing a temporarydefect management area in which the defect management information thatis effective is recorded, from the plurality of temporary defectmanagement areas, the distinction information being recorded as a typeof a combination pattern of an area set to be in a recorded conditionand an area left to be in an unrecorded condition according to apredetermined rule, in the flag area.

According to the data structure including a control signal of thepresent invention, as in the case of the above-described informationrecording medium of the present invention, it is possible to search forthe defect management information (the defect list) efficiently. Namely,it is possible to receive various benefits owned by the informationrecording medium.

Incidentally, in response to various aspects of the above-describedinformation recording medium of the present invention, the datastructure including a control signal of the present invention can alsotake various aspects.

The nature, utility, and further features of this invention will be moreclearly apparent from the following detailed description with referenceto preferred embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings briefly described below.

As explained above, according to the information recording medium of thepresent invention, it is provided with: the data area; the temporarydefect management areas; and the flag area. The distinction informationis recorded as the type of the combination pattern in the flag area.Therefore, it is possible to search for the defect managementinformation efficiently and use it.

According to the recording apparatus of the present invention, it isprovided with: the first recording device; and the second recordingdevice. According to the recording method of the present invention, itis provided with: the first recording process; and the second recordingprocess. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately record the recorddata onto the information recording medium of the present invention.According to the reproducing apparatus of the present invention, it isprovided with: the selecting device; the reading device; and thereproducing device. According to the recording method of the presentinvention, it is provided with: the selecting process; the readingprocess; and the reproducing process. Therefore, it is possible toappropriately read and reproduce the record data from the informationrecording medium of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of an informationrecording medium of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the content of defectmanagement information in the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing one example of a defect list inthe embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing one example of the recordcontent of a temporary defect management area in the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing one example of the recordcontent of a temporary defect management area in the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another embodiment of theinformation recording medium of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a data structureof a flag area in the embodiment;

FIG. 8A to FIG. 8D are schematic diagrams showing a recording conditionof the flag area in the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a recording/reproducing apparatuswhich is an embodiment of a recording apparatus and a reproducingapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a disc drive of therecording/reproducing apparatus in the embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a backend of therecording/reproducing apparatus in the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an initial setting operation of therecording/reproducing apparatus in the embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a section operation of the in-usetemporary defect management area of the recording/reproducing apparatusin the embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a record operation or the like of therecording/reproducing apparatus in the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the record operation of the defectmanagement information and a record operation into the flag area on therecording/reproducing apparatus in the embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the finalizing of therecording/reproducing apparatus in the embodiment; and

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a reproduction operation of therecording/reproducing apparatus in the embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference tothe drawings hereinafter. In the embodiments below, the informationrecording medium of the present invention is applied to awrite-once-type optical disc, and the recording apparatus and thereproducing apparatus of the present invention are applied to arecording/reproducing apparatus for the write-once-type optical disc.

Embodiment of Information Recording Medium

Firstly, the recording structure of the write-once type optical disc inthe embodiment of the present invention and the information and datarecorded on the optical disc will be explained. FIG. 1 shows therecording structure of the write-once-type recording medium which is theembodiment of the present invention. Incidentally, the left side of FIG.1 is the inner circumferential side of a write-once-type optical disc100, and the right side of FIG. 1 is the outer circumferential side ofthe optical disc 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, there is a lead-in area 101 on the most innercircumferential side on a recording surface of the write-once-typeoptical disc 100, and there are a temporary defect management area 104,a spare area 109, a user data area 108, a spare area 110, a temporarydefect management area 105, and a lead-out area 103, placed toward theouter circumferential side.

In both the lead-in area 101 and the lead-out area 103, the controlinformation for controlling the recording and reading of information ordata with respect to the optical disc 100 and the management informationfor managing the same are recorded. The lead-in area 101 is providedwith a definite defect management area 106. The lead-out area 103 isalso provided with a definite defect management area 107. In both thedefect management areas 106 and 107, defect management information 120(refer to FIG. 2) is to be recorded.

Particularly in the embodiment, a flag area 111 is disposed in thelead-in area 101. The flag area 111 is an area for recording therein thedistinction information for distinguishing in which of the temporarydefect management areas 104 and 105 the effective defect managementinformation 120 is recorded (i.e. which of the temporary defectmanagement areas 104 and 105 is in use). The “effective defectmanagement information 120” is the defect management information 120 forindicating a newest condition of the optical disc 100. Incidentally, theflag area 111 will be described in detail later (refer to FIG. 7).

Incidentally, in the embodiment, the flag area 111 is disposed in thelead-in area 101. However, not to limited to this, the embodiment may beconstructed such that it is disposed in the temporary defect managementarea 104 (105) or in the lead-out area 103 or in other areas, forexample. It may be constructed such that the position or the like ofsuch a flag area 111 is indicated by the information recorded in settinginformation 121 described later or the information recorded in thelead-in area 101 or the like.

Into the user data area 108, the record data, such as image data, audiodata, and contents data, is recorded. The spare areas 109 and 110 arealternative recording areas for evacuating thereto the record data froma defect in the user data area 108. Namely, when there is a defect inthe user data area 108, the record data to be recorded or alreadyrecorded at the position of the defect (which is hereinafter referred toas the “evacuation data”, as occasion demands) is alternatively recordedinto the spare area 109 or 110.

Into the both the temporary defect management areas 104 and 105, thedefect management information 120 is recorded temporarily. Incidentally,the defect management information 120 is also recorded into the definitedefect management areas 106 and 107. Differences between the definitedefect management areas 106/107 and the temporary defect managementareas 104/105 will be described later.

Next, the defect management information 120 will be explained. Thedefect management information 120 is used for the defect managementperformed by a recording/reproducing apparatus 200 (refer to FIG. 9).The recording/reproducing apparatus 200 performs the defect managementwhen recording the record data onto the optical disc 100 or whenreproducing the record data from the optical disc 100. In theembodiment, the defect management is mainly as follows. When there is adefect, such as scratches, dusts, or deterioration, on the user dataarea 108 on the optical disc 100, the record data is recorded away fromthe position of the defect, and at the same time, the evacuation data isrecorded into the spare area 109 or 110. Moreover, the followingoperations are also performed as a part of the defect management: anoperation of recognizing the position of the defect when the record datarecorded in the user data area 108 is reproduced; and an operation ofreading the record data to be originally recorded or already recorded atthe position of the defect from the spare area 109 or 110. In order toperform such a defect management, the recording/reproducing apparatus200 needs to recognize the position of the defect in the user data area108. The defect management information 120 is mainly used for therecording/reproducing apparatus 200 to recognize the position of thedefect.

FIG. 2 shows the content of the defect management information 120. Asshown in FIG. 2, the setting information 121 and a defect list 122 areincluded in the defect management information 120.

The setting information 121 includes: a start address of the user dataarea 108; an end address of the user data area 108; the size of theinner spare area 109; the size of the outer spare area 110; and otherinformation, as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows the content of the defect list 122. As shown in FIG. 3, onthe defect list 122, there are recorded an address for indicating theposition of a defect in the user data area 108 (which is hereinafterreferred to as a “defect address”), an address for indicating therecording position in the spare area 109 or 110 of the evacuation data(which is hereinafter referred to as a “spare address”); and otherinformation. When there are a plurality of defects in the user data area108, a plurality of defect addresses and spare addresses correspondingto the defects are included in the defect list 122.

Incidentally, the defect management can be performed not only for theuser data area 108 on the optical disc 100 but also for all of therecording surfaces of the optical disc 100.

Next, an aspect of the recording of the defect management information120 will be explained. The temporary defect management areas 104/105 onthe optical disc 100 and the definite defect management areas 106/107are areas for recording therein the defect management information 120.However, The temporary defect management areas 104/105 and the definitedefect management areas 106/107 differ in their locations, sizes, andpurposes for use. Hereinafter, their differences will be specificallyexplained.

FIG. 4 shows one example of the condition that the defect managementinformation 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area 104or 105. The temporary defect management areas 104 and 105 are areas forrecording therein the defect management information 120 temporarilyuntil the optical disc 100 is finalized. The defect managementinformation 120 is necessary for the defect management. The presence orabsence and the position of a defect are different for each opticaldisc, so that it is necessary to record and maintain the defectmanagement information 120 on each optical disc. In the example, at astage before the finalizing, the defect management information 120 isrecorded and maintained in the temporary defect management area 104 or105 on the optical disc 100.

Moreover, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable thatthe defect management information 120 is recorded twice repeatedly orredundantly into the temporary defect management area 104 or 105(Incidentally, FIG. 4 shows the four defect management information 120in total because the repetitive or redundant recording of the defectmanagement information 120 is performed twice). This makes it possibleto surely record and reproduce the defect management information 120.Even if the recording of the defect management information 120 is notperformed twice, for example, once, or three times or more, it ispossible to appropriately record and reproduce the defect managementinformation 120 and the evacuation data.

Until the optical disc 100 is finalized, the defect managementinformation 120 may be updated several times in some cases. For example,if dusts are attached onto the optical disc 100 between the firstrecording and the second recording (i.e., additional or sequential orpostscript recording), the defect (or dusts) is detected upon the secondrecording. On the basis of this detection, the defect list 122 isupdated. When the defect list 122 is updated, the defect managementinformation 120 including the updated defect list 122 is additionallyrecorded (i.e. written once) into the temporary defect management area104 or 105. The optical disc 100 is a write-once-type recording medium,so that it is impossible to overwrite the updated defect managementinformation 120 on the existing defect management information 120. Thus,as shown in FIG. 4, the updated defect management information 120 isrecorded in series after the existing defect management information 120.Therefore, the above-described “effective defect management information120” in this case indicates the defect management information 120additionally written at the second time.

In order to realize such repeated and serial recording of the defectmanagement information 120, the temporary defect management areas 104and 105 are larger than the definite defect management areas 106 and107.

Moreover, the defect management information 120 is preferably recordedin series (sequentially) into the temporary defect management area 104or 105 as shown in FIG. 4. With respect to the temporary defectmanagement area 104 or 105, it is preferable to determine the recordingorder of the defect management information 120 in advance.

Particularly in the embodiment, when the defect management information120 is updated, if the temporary defect management area into which thedefect management information 120 is to be recorded is changed, thedistinction information of the flag area 111 is also updated. Namely,for example, if the free space of the temporary defect management area104 runs out and the defect management information 120 is subsequentlyrecorded into the temporary defect management area 105, the distinctioninformation of the flag area 111 is updated. Therefore, the distinctioninformation at this time indicates that the effective defect managementinformation 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area 105.The specific construction of the distinction information will bedescribed in detail later (refer to FIG. 7 or the like).

FIG. 5 shows one example of the condition that the defect managementinformation 120 is recorded in the definite defect management area 106or 107. The definite defect management areas 106 and 107 are areas forrecording therein the defect management information 120 definitely whenthe optical disc 100 is finalized. Namely, at a stage before thefinalizing, the definite defect management areas 106 and 107 areunrecorded (or blank). When the optical disc 100 is finalized, thedefect management information 120 is recorded in the definite defectmanagement areas 106 and 107, and the recording situation is continuedsubsequently.

In the example, as shown in FIG. 5, it is preferable that the defectmanagement information 120 is recorded twice repeatedly or redundantlyinto the definite defect management area 106 or 107. This makes itpossible to surely record and reproduce the defect managementinformation 120. Even if the recording is not performed twice, forexample, once, or three times or more, it is possible to appropriatelyrecord and reproduce the defect management information 120.

According to the optical disc 100 in the embodiment, the temporarydefect management area 104 is placed between the lead-in area 101 andthe spare area 109 and the temporary defect management area 105 isplaced between the spare area 110 and the lead-out area 103, whichallows the compatibility between the write-once-type optical disc 100and a general rewritable optical disc. In order to realize thecompatibility with a general rewritable-type optical disc, thewrite-once-type optical disc 100 needs to have the lead-in area, thespare area, the user data area, the spare area, and the lead-out area,and needs to maintain a basic recording structure, such as the order,position, and size (area) of the areas. The optical disc 100 maintainssuch a basic recording structure although it is provided with thetemporary defect management areas 104 and 105, which allows thecompatibility. Namely, if the temporary defect management area 104 isplaced in the lead-in area 101, because the temporary defect managementarea 104 is relatively large as described above, there is no choice toextend the size of the lead-in area 101, which is unfavorable. In thisexample, however, such a disadvantage does not occur because thetemporary defect management area 104 is placed out of the lead-in area101. Moreover, if the temporary defect management area 104 is placed inthe user data area 108, the defect management information 120 havingproperties of control information is included in the user data area 108which is an area in which record data is supposed to be recorded,causing the disadvantage that the control information and the recorddata, which is information having properties different from those of thecontrol information, are mixed in the user data area 108. In thisexample, however, such a disadvantage does not occur because thetemporary defect management area 104 is placed out of the user data area108. The same is true for the defect management area 105.

The start address and end address of the user data area 108, and theeach start address of the spare areas 109 and 110 (or the size of theuser data area 108 and the spare areas 109 and 110, or the like) areincluded in the setting information 121 in the defect managementinformation 120 (refer to FIG. 2). This setting information 121 can beset by the recording/reproducing apparatus 200. Namely, it is allowed tochange the start address and end address of the user data area 108 andthe each size of the spare areas 109 and 110 if they are clearly shownas the setting information 121. Even if they are changed, it is possibleto maintain the compatibility with a general rewritable-type recordingmedium. Therefore, it is possible to ensure a space between the lead-inarea 101 and the user data area 108 by shifting the start address of theuser data area 108 backward (to the outer circumferential side), and itis possible to place the temporary defect management area 104 in thespace. Depending on how to set the start address of the user data area108, it is possible to reserve or ensure the relatively wider(large-sized) temporary defect management area 104. The same is true forthe temporary defect management area 105.

According to the optical disc 100, the definite defect management areas106 and 107 are placed in the lead-in area 101 and the lead-out area103, respectively, which allows the compatibility between thewrite-once-type optical disc 100 and a general rewritable optical disc.Namely, a general rewritable optical disc has areas to record the defectmanagement information, the areas being placed in both the lead-in areaand the lead-out area. The optical disc 100 also has the definite defectmanagement areas 106 and 107 placed in the lead-in area 101 and thelead-out area 103, respectively. At this point, their recordingstructures coincide. Therefore, it is possible to ensure thecompatibility between the write-once-type optical disc 100 and a generalrewritable-type optical disc.

Incidentally, in the above-described embodiment, the case where theinformation recording medium of the present invention is applied to anone-layer optical disc is taken as an example. The present invention,however, is not limited to this example and can be applied to atwo-or-more-layer optical disc. FIG. 6 shows an example of the casewhere the information recording medium of the present invention isapplied to a two-layer optical disc. In a first layer of a two-layeroptical disc 150 in FIG. 6 (the upper side of FIG. 6), as in the opticaldisc 100, there is a lead-in area 151 on the most inner circumferentialside, and there are placed, toward the outer circumferential side, atemporary defect management area 154, a spare area 159, a user data area158, a spare area 160, a temporary defect management area 155, and alead-out area 153. A flag area 161 is disposed in the lead-in area 151.In a second layer, as in the optical disc 100, there is a lead-in area171 on the most inner circumferential side, and there are placed, towardthe outer circumferential side, a temporary defect management area 174,a spare area 179, a user data area 178, a spare area 180, a temporarydefect management area 175, and a lead-out area 173.

Incidentally, in the explanation associated with the two-or-more-layeroptical disc in FIG. 6, an example of a parallel track path is shown inwhich the recording direction of the first layer is the same as that ofthe second layer, but a form of an opposite track path may be adopted inwhich the recording direction of the first layer is opposite to that ofthe second layer.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the data structure of theflag area will be explained in detail. FIG. 7 shows the more detaileddata structure of the flag area 161 in the two-layer optical disc 150.FIG. 8A to FIG. 8D schematically show one specific example of an aspectof the recording of the flag area 161 which changes according to thein-use temporary defect management area.

As shown in FIG. 7, there are three flag unit areas (162, 163, and 164)in the flag area 161. Each size of the three flag unit areas correspondsto the size of an area for an Error-Correcting Code (ECC) cluster of theoptical disc 100. It is possible to use not only the area for the ECCcluster but also an arbitrary area as the flag unit area of the flagarea 161.

Then, according to the recording condition of the data in the three flagunit areas, it is shown in which area of the temporary defect managementareas 154, 155, 174, and 175 the effective defect management information120 is recorded. Namely, all the three flag unit areas show informationcorresponding to the above-described distinction information. In theembodiment, according to whether each is in the recorded condition or inthe unrecorded condition, the three flag unit areas 162, 163, and 164show the temporary defect management area in which the effective defectmanagement information 120 is recorded.

The “recorded condition” in the embodiment indicates such a conditionthat pits are formed in the flag unit area, and the pits may indicatethe predetermined record data or does not have to indicate it. On theother hand, the “unrecorded condition” indicates such a condition thatthe pits are not formed in the flag unit area and that it has arecording layer corresponding to a mirror-like flat surface.

Incidentally, the number of the flag unit areas is preferably smallerthan the number of the temporary defect management areas provided forthe optical disc, only by one. Namely, if there are “n” temporary defectmanagement areas provided for the optical disc (n: integral number,n≧2), the number of the flag unit areas is preferably “n−1”. Forexample, in the case of the optical disc 100 in FIG. 1, since there aretwo temporary defect management areas, the number of the flag unit areasmay be one. For example, in the case of the optical disc 150 in FIG. 6,since there are four temporary defect management areas, the number ofthe flag unit areas is preferably three, as shown in FIG. 7.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8A to FIG. 8D, one specific example of therecording conditions of the flag unit areas 162, 163, and 164 will beexplained.

As shown in FIG. 8A, if all of the flag unit areas 162, 163, and 164 arein the unrecorded condition, that indicates, for example, the temporarydefect management area 154 is effective (i.e. in-use). Namely, thatindicates the effective defect management information 120 is recorded inthe temporary defect management area 154.

As shown in FIG. 8B, if the flag unit area 162 is in the recordedcondition and the flag unit areas 163 and 164 are in the unrecordedcondition, that indicates, for example, the temporary defect managementarea 155 is effective (i.e. in-use).

As shown in FIG. 8C, if the flag unit areas 162 and 163 are in therecorded condition and the flag unit area 164 is in the unrecordedcondition, that indicates, for example, the temporary defect managementarea 174 is effective (i.e. in-use).

As shown in FIG. 8D, if all of the flag unit areas 162, 163, and 164 arein the recorded condition, that indicates, for example, the temporarydefect management area 175 is effective (i.e. in-use).

Therefore, if, for example, a recording/reproducing apparatus describedlater is used to reproduce the optical disc 150 (or 100), it is possibleto relatively easily search for the temporary defect management area inwhich the effective defect management information 120 is recorded.Therefore, it is possible to reduce a time length required for searchingfor the defect management information 120. As a result, it is possibleto speed up the reproduction operation.

Even if the optical disc 150 is a write-once-type, it is possible towrite the distinction information, as a combination pattern of therecorded condition and the unrecorded condition in the flag area 161, bychanging the flag unit areas in the unrecorded condition in the flagarea 161, which are assigned in advance according to the number of thetemporary defect management areas, to the areas in the recordedcondition by writing some information. By setting the flag unit areas tobe in the recorded condition as described above, it is possible toappropriately record the distinction information as a recording patternwithout recording the distinction information again in another position.

The association of the recording conditions of the flag unit areas 162,163, and 164 with the in-use temporary defect management area indicatedby these recording conditions is not limited to what is shown in FIG. 8.An arbitrary recording condition may be used if capable ofdistinguishing the in-use temporary defect management area.

Incidentally, in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the two-layer optical disc 150 isused for the explanation, but even in the case of the one-layer opticaldisc 100, or other optical discs and various recording media providedwith two or more temporary defect management areas, it is possible toobtain the same effect as that in the optical disc of the presentinvention.

EXAMPLE OF RECORDING/REPRODUCING APPARATUS

Next, the structure of a recording/reproducing apparatus in theembodiment of the present invention will be explained. FIG. 9 shows therecording/reproducing apparatus 200, which is an embodiment of thepresent invention. The recording/reproducing apparatus 200 is providedwith: a function of recording the record data onto the optical disc 100;and a function of reproducing the record data recorded on the opticaldisc 100.

The recording/reproducing apparatus 200 is provided with: a disc drive300; and a backend 400.

FIG. 10 shows the inner structure of the disc drive 300. The disc drive300 records record data onto the optical disc 100 and reads the recorddata recorded on the optical disc 100.

As shown in FIG. 10, the disc drive 300 is provided with: a spindlemotor 351; an optical pickup 352; a Radio Frequency (RF) amplifier 353;and a servo circuit 354.

The spindle motor 351 is a motor for rotating the optical disc 100.

The optical pickup 352 records the record data or the like onto therecording surface of the optical disc 100 by irradiating a light beamonto the recording surface and reads the record data or the likerecorded on the recording surface by receiving reflected light of thelight beam. The optical pickup 352 outputs a RF signal corresponding tothe reflected light of the light beam.

The RF amplifier 353 amplifies the RF signal outputted from the opticalpickup 352 and outputs it to a CODEC. Moreover, the RF amplifier 353makes, from the RF signal, a wobble frequency signal WF, a track errorsignal TE, and a focus error signal FE, and outputs them.

The servo circuit 354 is a servo control circuit for controlling theoperating of the optical pickup 352 and the spindle motor 351 on thebasis of the track error signal TE, the focus error signal FE, and otherservo control signals.

As shown in FIG. 10, the disc drive 300 is provided with: the CODEC 355;a buffer 356; an interface 357; and a light beam driving device 358.

The CODEC 355 is a circuit, provided with: a function of performing anerror correction for the record data in reading; and a function ofappending an error correction code or mark to the record data inrecording so as to demodulate and decode the record data. Specifically,the CODEC 355 demodulates and decodes the RF signal outputted from theRF amplifier 353 in reading, performs an error correction for thedecoded RF signal, and then outputs this to the buffer 356. Moreover, ifthe error correction is incapable or if the number of error-correctedcodes exceeds a certain standard value as a result of performing theerror correction for the decoded RF signal, the CODEC 355 generates anerror signal for indicating that, and outputs this signal to a defectdetector 359. In recording, the CODEC 355 appends the error correctioncode to the record data outputted from the buffer 356, demodulates anddecodes this data to have a code suited to the optical characteristicsor the like of the optical disc 100, and then outputs the decoded recorddata to the light beam driving device 358.

The buffer 356 is a memory circuit for storing the record datatemporarily.

The interface 357 is a circuit for controlling the input/output orcommunication of the record data or the like between the disc drive 300and the backend 400. Specifically, in reproducing, the interface 357responds a request command from the backend 400 and outputs the recorddata outputted from the buffer 356 (i.e. the record data read from theoptical disc 100) to the backend 400. In recording, the interface 357receives the record data which is inputted from the backend 400 to thedisc drive 300, and outputs this data to the buffer 356. The interface357 responds a request command from the backend 400 and outputs all orpart of the defect list maintained in a generator 360 for generatingDefect Management Information (DMI generator 360) to the backend 400.

At the time of recording, the light beam driving device 358 generates alight beam driving signal corresponding to the record data outputtedfrom the CODEC 355 and outputs this signal to the optical pickup 352.The optical pickup 352 modulates a light beam on the basis of the lightbeam driving signal and irradiates it onto the recording surface of theoptical disc 100. This causes the recording of record data or the likeon the recording surface.

As shown in FIG. 10, the disc drive 300 is provided with: the defectdetector 359; and the DMI generator 360.

The defect detector 359 is a circuit for detecting a defect on theoptical disc 100. The defect detector 359 generates a defect detectionsignal for indicating the presence or absence of a defect and outputsthis signal. The defect detector 359 detects a defect on the basis ofthe result of the error correction of record data in reading information(in verifying or reproducing). As described above, if the errorcorrection is incapable or if the number of error-corrected codesexceeds the certain standard value as a result of performing the errorcorrection for the decoded RF signal, the CODEC 355 generates the errorsignal for indicating that fact, and outputs this signal to the defectdetector 359. The defect detector 359 outputs the defect detectionsignal for indicating the presence of a defect when receiving this errorsignal.

The DMI generator 360 is a circuit for generating or updating the defectmanagement information 120 on the basis of the defect detection signaloutputted from the defect detector 359. The defect managementinformation 120 is rewritably stored into a memory circuit placed in theDMI generator 360. The DMI generator 360 responds to a request commandfrom the backend 400 and outputs the defect management information 120to the backend 400 through the interface 357.

As shown in FIG. 10, the disc drive 300 is equipped with a CPU 361. TheCPU 361 controls the disc drive 300 as a whole, and controls theexchange of information among the elements in the disc drive 300described above. The CPU 361 also controls the record operation and thereading operation of the record data and the defect managementinformation 120. The CPU 361 responds to a control command or a requestcommend transmitted from the backend 400 and controls the exchange ofdata between the disc drive 300 and the backend 400.

FIG. 11 shows the inner structure of the backend 400. The backend 400 isan apparatus for reproducing the record data read from the optical disc100 with the disc drive 300, receiving the record data supplied from theoutside for the purpose to record it onto the optical disc 100, encodingthis record data, and transmitting it to the disc drive 300.

The backend 400 is provided with: a drive controller 471; a videodecoder 472; an audio decoder 473; a video encoder 474; an audio encoder475; a system controller 476; and a defect management device 477.

The drive controller 471 is a circuit for controlling the readingprocessing and recording processing of the disc drive 300. The backend400 and the disc drive 300 cooperate and perform an operation of readingthe record data from the optical disc 100 and reproducing it and anoperation of receiving the record data from the outside and recording itonto the optical disc 100. The drive controller 471 realizes thecooperation of the backend 400 and the disc drive 300 by controlling thereading processing and recording processing of the disc drive 300.Specifically, the drive controller 471 outputs to the disc drive 300request commands about reading, recording, outputting the record datafrom the buffer 356, outputting the defect management information 120from the DMI generator 360, and so on. The drive controller 471 alsocontrols the input and output of the record data, the defect managementinformation 120, and other various information.

The video decoder 472 and the audio decoder 473 are circuits fordecoding the record data which is read from the optical disc 100 by thedisc drive 300 and which is supplied through the drive controller 471and converting the record data to be reproducible with a display, aspeaker, or the like.

The video encoder 474 and the audio encoder 475 are circuit forreceiving a video signal, an audio signal, or the like inputted from theoutside for the purpose of recording them on the optical disc 100,encoding them by Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) compressing andencoding method or the like, and supplying them to the disc drive 300through the drive controller 471.

In reproducing, the system controller 476 controls: the drive controller471; the video decoder 472; the audio decoder 473; and the defectmanagement device 477, to thereby reproduce the record data incooperation with these devices. In recording, the system controller 476controls: the drive controller 471; the video encoder 474; the audioencoder 475; and the defect management device 477, to thereby record therecord data in cooperation with these devices. In reproducing andrecording, the system controller 476 controls the disc drive 300 (e.g.controls the generation and transmission of various request commands,the reception of a response signal, or the like) with the drivecontroller 471 in order to realize the cooperation of the disc drive 300and the backend 400.

The defect management device 477 has therein a memory circuit and has afunction of receiving and maintaining all or part of the defectmanagement information 120 made or updated by the DMI generator 360 inthe disc drive 300. The defect management device 477 performs the defectmanagement with the system controller 476.

Next, an initial setting operation of the recording/reproducingapparatus 200 will be explained. FIG. 12 shows an initial settingoperation of the recording/reproducing apparatus 200. Therecording/reproducing apparatus 200 performs the initial setting between(i) when the optical disc 100 is inserted or loaded in the disc drive300 and (ii) when the record data is recorded or reproduced. The initialsetting is processing for preparing for the recording or reproducing ofthe record data and includes various processing. Out of the processing,the initialization of the optical disc 100, the generation of the defectmanagement information 120, the transmission of the defect managementinformation 120 to the backend 400, or the like will be explained below.The processing is performed mainly under the control of the CPU 361 ofthe disc drive 300.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the optical disc 100 is inserted or loadedinto the disc drive 300, the CPU 361 of the disc drive 300 judgeswhether or not the optical disc 100 is an unrecorded disc, i.e., a blankdisc (step S11).

If the optical disc 100 is a blank disc (the step S11: YES), the CPU 361initializes the optical disc 100 (step S12). In this initializing, theDMI generator 360 generates the defect management information 120 (stepS13). Specifically, it obtains the start address and end address of theuser data area 108 and the sizes of the spare areas 109 and 110, whichare set in the initializing, and generates the setting information 121.Moreover, it generates the defect list 122. The defect list 122generated at this time has only an outline, not having any content.Namely, the defect address is not recorded in it, nor is the specificspare address. A head, identification information, or the like are onlyrecorded. The generated defect management information 120 is stored intoand maintained in the DMI generator 360.

Then, the CPU 361 transmits the defect management information 120 storedin the DMI generator 360 to the backend 400 (step S14). The defectmanagement information 120 is stored into the defect management device477 of the backend 400.

Then, the CPU 361 records the defect management information 120 storedin the DMI generator 360 twice repeatedly or redundantly into thetemporary defect management area 104 or 105 on the optical disc 100(step S15). In this case, it is preferable to specify the temporarydefect management area in which the defect management information 120 isrecorded first in advance, by default.

On the other hand, if the optical disc 100 is not a blank disc (the stepS11: NO), the CPU 361 judges whether or not the optical disc 100 isalready finalized (step S16). The finalizing is processing for arranginga recording format so that the optical disc 100 can be reproduced by areproducing apparatus for a general rewritable-type optical disc and areproducing apparatus for a general optical disc of a reproduce onlytype. It is possible to recognize whether or not the optical disc 100 isalready finalized by referring to the control information recorded inthe lead-in area 101 or the like.

If the optical disc 100 is not finalized yet (the step S16: NO), the CPU361 selects the in-use temporary defect management area 104 or 105 (stepS17). Namely, it selects the temporary defect management area 104 or 105in which the effective defect management information 120 is included.

Particularly in the embodiment, at the time of selecting the in-usetemporary defect management area in the step S17, the CPU 361efficiently detects and selects the temporary defect management area inwhich the effective defect management information 120 is recorded, byreferring to the flag area 111. Such an operation will be described indetail later (refer to FIG. 13).

Moreover, if a plurality of defect management information 120 isrecorded in the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 selected inthe step S17 (refer to FIG. 4), the CPU 361 selects and reads theeffective defect management information 120 among them (step S18).Namely, at a stage before the finalizing, the defect managementinformation 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area 104or 105 whenever it is updated. The plurality of defect managementinformation 120 is arranged in series in the updated order. Therefore,the defect management information placed at the end is the effectivedefect management information in the temporary defect management area104 or 105. The CPU 361 selects and reads the defect managementinformation placed at the end.

In order to specify the defect management information 120 placed at theend (or the last defect management information 120), the embodimentadopts the following method. Namely, in the case where a plurality ofdefect management information 120 are already recorded sequentially in arow in the temporary defect management area 104 or 105, information isrecorded from the start address of the temporary defect management area104 or 105 to the end address of the area in which the last defectmanagement information 120 is recorded, and the subsequent area isunrecorded or blank. The CPU 361 controls the optical pickup 352 andscans the temporary defect management area 104 or 105, starting from thestart address. Then, it detects a position from which an unrecorded orblank condition starts and scans backward the temporary defectmanagement area 104 or 105 from the position. This is how to specify thelast defect management information 120. By this type of method, it ispossible to easily specify the last or latest defect managementinformation 120 (i.e. the effective defect management information 120)without using a pointer or the like.

The CPU 361 stores the read effective defect management information 120into the DMI generator 360 and transmits this information to the backend400 (step S19). The effective defect management information 120 isstored into the defect management device 477 of the backend 400.

On the other hand, if the optical disc 100 is not a blank disc but isalready finalized (the step S16: YES), the CPU 361 reads the defectmanagement information 120 from the definite defect management area 106or 107 (step S20), and transmits this information to the backend 400(step S21). The defect management information 120 is stored into thedefect management device 477 of the backend 400.

As described above, the defect management information 120 is generated,or is selectively read from the temporary defect management area 104 or105, or is read from the definite defect management area 106 or 107.Then, it is stored into the DMI generator 360 of the disc drive 300 andis stored into the defect management device 477 of the backend 400. Thiscompletes the preparation for the defect management and ends the initialsetting.

Next, the detail of the operation of “selecting the in-use temporarydefect management area” in the step S17 in FIG. 12 will be explainedwith reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing such anoperation of selecting. Incidentally, for convenience of explanation,the two-layer optical disc 150 shown in FIG. 6 will be used for theexplanation in place of the optical disc 100. In addition, on theassumption that the association of the distinction information of theflag area 161 with the in-use temporary defect management area indicatedby the distinction information is the same as shown in FIG. 8, theexplanation below will go on.

As shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 361 reads the flag area 161 of the opticaldisc 150 and refers to the recording conditions of the flag unit areas(refer to FIG. 7) included in the flag area 161 (step S171).

Then, it is judged by the operation of the CPU 361 whether or not theflag unit area 162 is in the unrecorded condition (step S172).

As a result, if it is judged that the flag unit area 162 is in theunrecorded condition (the step S172: Yes), that means the flag area 161shows the recording condition shown in FIG. 8A. Therefore, the temporarydefect management area 154 is selected by the CPU 361 as the in-usetemporary defect management area (step S173).

On the other hand, if it is judged that the flag unit area 162 is not inthe unrecorded condition (the step S172: No), then, it is judged whetheror not the flag unit area 163 is in the unrecorded condition (stepS174).

As a result, if it is judged that the flag unit area 163 is in theunrecorded condition (the step S174: Yes), that means the flag area 161shows the recording condition shown in FIG. 8B. Therefore, the temporarydefect management area 155 is selected by the CPU 361 as the in-usetemporary defect management area (step S175).

On the other hand, if it is judged that the flag unit area 163 is not inthe unrecorded condition (the step S174: No), then, it is judged whetheror not the flag unit area 164 is in the unrecorded condition (stepS176).

As a result, if it is judged that the flag unit area 164 is in theunrecorded condition (the step S176: Yes), that means the flag area 161shows the recording condition shown in FIG. 8C. Therefore, the temporarydefect management area 174 is selected by the CPU 361 as the in-usetemporary defect management area (step S177).

On the other hand, if it is judged that the flag unit area 164 is not inthe unrecorded condition (the step S176: No), that means the flag area161 shows the recording condition shown in FIG. 8D. Therefore, thetemporary defect management area 175 is selected by the CPU 361 as thein-use temporary defect management area (step S178).

Therefore, it is possible to search for the in-use temporary defectmanagement area relatively easily and efficiently by referring to theflag area 161. Namely, conventionally, it is necessary to access all thetemporary defect management areas and search for the in-use temporarydefect management area, thoroughly. However, according to thisembodiment, it is unnecessary to search for it thoroughly, as describedabove, so that it is possible to speed up the initial operation inloading the disc (or the reproduction operation and the recordoperation), for example.

Particularly, since the flag area 161 is included in the lead-in area151, when the optical disc 150 is loaded, it is possible to select thein-use temporary defect management area as one portion of the initialoperation. Therefore, after that, it is possible to perform the normalreproduction or record operation without paying attention to theselection of the temporary defect management area.

Next, a record operation of the recording/reproducing apparatus 200 willbe explained. FIG. 14 mainly shows a record operation of therecording/reproducing apparatus 200. The recording/reproducing apparatus200 performs a record operation of recording the record data into theuser data area 108 on the optical disc 100. The recording/reproducingapparatus 200 performs the record operation while performing the defectmanagement. The recording/reproducing apparatus 200 performs verifyingduring the record operation and updates the defect list 122 on the basisof the verifying. The record operation is realized by the cooperation ofthe CPU 361 of the disc drive 300 and the system controller 376 of thebackend 400.

As shown in FIG. 14, after judging whether or not an instruction offinalizing or reproducing the record data from the optical disc 100 isgiven (steps S31 and S32), when a user inputs an instruction of startingto record (step S33: YES), the recording/reproducing apparatus 200responds to this and records the record data (step S34). The record datais recorded into each predetermined block. The recording/reproducingapparatus 200 refers to the defect management information stored in thedefect management device 477 of the backend 400 and records the recorddata while performing the defect management on the basis of theinformation.

The recording/reproducing apparatus 200 performs verifying at each timeof the one block recording or at each time of ending a series of writingsequences (step S35), and updates the defect management information 120on the basis of the result of the verifying. Incidentally, the defectmanagement information 120 which is updated is the defect managementinformation stored in the DMI generator 360 of the disc drive 300.Specifically, when it is recognized, as a result of the verifying, thatthe record data fails to be record (step S36: YES), the CPU 361 of thedisc drive 300 records the record data that fails to be recorded intothe spare area 109 or 110 (step S37). Then, the CPU 361 estimates thatthere is a defect in a place in which the record data is supposed to berecorded, and records the defect address for indicating the place andthe corresponding spare address onto the defect list 122 (step S38). Theoperation of making the defect address and the spare address will bedescribed in detail later.

When the above-described steps S34 to S38 end with respect to a seriesblock of the record data to be recorded this time (step S39: Yes), theCPU 361 records the updated defect management information 120 twicerepeatedly or redundantly into the temporary defect management area 104or 105 on the optical disc 100 (step S40).

Here, the defect management information 120 is recorded into the in-usetemporary defect management area, but if there is no free space (orunrecorded space) in the in-use temporary defect management area, it isrecorded into another temporary defect management area. In addition, inthat case, it is preferable that the flag unit areas of the flag area111 are updated at the same time (i.e. at least one of them is/arechanged to be in the recorded condition). Such a record operation willbe described in detail later (refer to FIG. 15).

Incidentally, the defect management information 120 recorded in thetemporary defect management area 104 or 105 is the defect managementinformation 120 stored in the DMI generator 360. Then, the recordoperation is completed.

Next, the detail of the additional or sequential or postscript recordinginto the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 in the step S40 inFIG. 14 will be explained with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is aflowchart showing the additional or sequential or postscript recordingof the defect management information 120 into the temporary defectmanagement area 104 or 105.

As shown in FIG. 15, firstly, it is judged by the operation of the CPU361 whether or not there is any free space in the temporary defectmanagement area 104 or 105 into which the defect management information120 is about to be recorded (step S401). Namely, it is judged whether ornot there is any free space for further recording therein the defectmanagement information 120 in such an area that is indicated by the flagarea 111 (or 161) to be the in-use temporary defect management area.

As a result of the judgment, if it is judged that there is a free space(the step S401: Yes), the defect management information 120 is recordedinto the currently in-use temporary defect management area (step S404).

On the other hand, if it is judged that there is not any free space (thestep S401: No), the defect management information 120 is recorded intothe temporary defect management area to be used next (step S402). Forexample, in the case of the optical disc 100 (refer to FIG. 1), if thetemporary defect management area 104 is in use and has no free space torecord the defect management information 120, the temporary defectmanagement area 105 is selected to be the temporary defect managementarea to be used next, and the defect management information 120 isrecorded into the temporary defect management area 105. Alternatively,in the case of the optical disc 150 (refer to FIG. 6), if the temporarydefect management area 154 is in use and has no free space to record thedefect management information 120, any one of the other temporary defectmanagement areas 155, 174, and 175 is selected to be the temporarydefect management area to be used next. Incidentally, the temporarydefect management area to be used next may be determined in advance, ormay be selected by the CPU 361 at the time point of the step S402, forexample.

The CPU 361 further allows the data to be recorded into the flag area111 (161) (step S403). Namely, it allows at least one of the recordingconditions of the flag unit areas which are provided for the flag area111 (161), to be changed into the recorded condition. For example, it isassumed that on the optical disc 150, the temporary defect managementarea 154 is in use, and the defect management information 120 isrecorded into the temporary defect management area 155 in this time bythe operation of the step S402. In this case, the data is recorded sothat the flag unit area 162 of the flag area 161 is in the recordedcondition.

By this, if the in-use temporary defect management area has to bechanged during the record operation, it is possible to realize the flagarea 111 (161) having the distinction information which reflects thechange.

Incidentally, if the flag unit area 162 or the like is set to be in therecorded condition, the pits may be formed, not only by writingarbitrary data but also by writing the predetermined record data. Forexample, it may be constructed such that the flag unit area is set to bein the recorded condition by recording the backup data of an importantfile.

Next, the finalizing operation of the recording/reproducing apparatus200 will be explained. FIG. 16 shows the finalizing operation of therecording/reproducing apparatus 200. For example, when the user inputsan instruction for finalizing (the step S31 in FIG. 14: YES), as shownin FIG. 16, the recording/reproducing apparatus 200 confirms that theoptical disc 100 is not finalized yet (step S51: NO) and finalizes theoptical disc 100 (step S52). During finalizing, therecording/reproducing apparatus 200 records the defect managementinformation 120 twice repeatedly or redundantly into the definite defectmanagement area 106 or 107 on the optical disc 100 (step S53). Therecording of the defect management information 120 may be performedonce, or three times or more. Incidentally, the defect managementinformation 120 recorded in the definite defect management area 106 or107 is the defect management information 120 stored in the DMI generator360. Then, the finalizing operation is completed.

Next, a reproduction operation of the recording/reproducing apparatus200 will be explained. FIG. 17 shows a reproduction operation of therecording/reproducing apparatus 200.

When the user inputs an instruction of starting to reproduce (the stepS32 in FIG. 14: YES), as shown in FIG. 17, the recording/reproducingapparatus 200 confirms that the optical disc 100 is not a blank disc(the step S71: NO), and reproduces the record data recorded in the userdata area 108 on the optical disc 100 (step S72). Therecording/reproducing apparatus 200 reproduces the record data whileperforming the defect management on the basis of the defect managementinformation 120 stored in the defect management device 477 of thebackend 400.

As described above, according to the recording/reproducing apparatus200, it records the defect management information 120 into the temporarydefect management area 104 or 105 on the optical disc 100 beforefinalizing the optical disc 100, and it records the defect managementinformation 120 into the definite defect management area 106 or 107 onthe optical disc 100 when finalizing the optical disc 100. With respectto the optical disc 100 which is not finalized yet, therecording/reproducing apparatus 200 reads the defect managementinformation 120 from the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 onthe optical disc 100. With respect to the optical disc 100 which isalready finalized, the recording/reproducing apparatus 200 reads thedefect management information 120 from the definite defect managementarea 106 or 107 on the optical disc 100. This makes it possible torealize the recording or reproducing of the record data while performingthe appropriate defect management with respect to both the optical disc100 which is not finalized yet and the optical disc 100 which is alreadyfinalized.

Particularly, by providing flag area 111 (161), it is possible to selectthe in-use temporary defect management area from the plurality oftemporary defect management areas 104 and 105 (or 154, 155, 174, and175) relatively easily and efficiently. Namely, it is possible to readthe effective defect management information 120 relatively easily andefficiently. This makes it possible to reduce a processing load of theCPU 361 at the time of loading the disc, or reproducing and recording.

According to the recording/reproducing apparatus 200 of the presentinvention, it is constructed such that the defect management information120 is recorded into the definite defect management area 106 or 107 onthe optical disc 100 in the finalizing, which allows the compatibilitybetween the write-once-type optical disc 100 and a generalrewritable-type optical disc.

Incidentally, the drawings used for the explanation of the embodimentsof the present invention embody constitutional elements or the like ofthe recording medium, recording apparatus or reproducing apparatus ofthe present invention, only for the purpose of explaining technicalideas thereof. The shape, size, position, connection relationship, andthe like of various constitutional elements or the like are not limitedto the drawings.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the optical disc 100 isexplained as one example of the recording medium, and the recorder orthe player associated with the optical disc 100 is explained as oneexample of the recording/reproducing apparatus. The present invention,however, is not limited to the optical disc and the recorder or theplayer for it. The present invention can be applied to other variousinformation recording media for high density recording or high transferrate; and a recorder or a player for the media.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments,and various changes may be made, if desired, without departing from theessence or spirit of the invention which can be read from the claims andthe entire specification. An information recording medium, a recordingapparatus, a reproducing apparatus, a recording method, a reproducingmethod, and a computer program for making these functions, all of whichinvolves such changes, are also intended to be within the technicalscope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

An information recording medium, a recording apparatus for and methodfor an information recording medium, a reproducing apparatus and methodfor an information recording medium, a computer program for recording orreproduction control, and a data structure including a control signal,all of which are according to the present invention, can be applied to ahigh-density optical disc, such as an optical disc, a magnet disc and amagnet-optical disc, and further they can be applied to a DVD player, aDVD recorder, and the like. Moreover, they can be applied to aninformation recording medium, an information recording/reproducingapparatus, or the like, which are mounted on or can be connected tovarious computer equipment, for example.

1. An information recording medium comprising: a plurality of recordingareas each of which consists of a plurality of unit blocks; and a flagarea for recording therein distinction information for distinguishing atleast one recording area which is already recorded from said pluralityof recording areas, said flag area being divided into a plurality offlag unit areas, the distinction information being indicated by whetherat least one of the plurality of flag unit areas is a recorded conditionor an unrecorded condition.
 2. The information recording mediumaccording to claim 1, wherein the plurality of flag unit areascorresponds to the plurality of recording areas, respectively.
 3. Theinformation recording medium according to claim 1, wherein thedistinction information distinguishes one of the plurality of therecording areas which is already recorded on the basis of a combinationof the recorded condition and the unrecorded condition of the pluralityof flag unit areas.
 4. The information recording medium according toclaim 1, wherein the flag area is displaced on a position which is to beread before the plurality of recording areas are read.
 5. An informationrecording medium including a plurality of recording layers, saidinformation recording medium comprising: a plurality of recording areaseach of which consists of a plurality of unit blocks for each of theplurality of recording layers; and a flag area for recording thereindistinction information for distinguishing at least one recording areawhich is already recorded from said plurality of recording areas in oneof the plurality of recording layers, said flag area being divided intoa plurality of flag unit areas, the distinction information beingindicated by whether at least one of the plurality of flag unit areas isa recorded condition or an unrecorded condition.
 6. The informationrecording medium according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of flagunit areas corresponds to the plurality of recording areas,respectively.
 7. The information recording medium according to claim 5,wherein the distinction information distinguishes one of the pluralityof the recording areas which is already recorded on the basis of acombination of the recorded condition and the unrecorded condition ofthe plurality of flag unit areas.
 8. The information recording mediumaccording to claim 5, wherein the flag area is displaced on a positionwhich is to be read before the plurality of recording areas are read. 9.A recording apparatus for recording record data onto an informationrecording medium comprising: (i) a plurality of recording areas each ofwhich consists of a plurality of unit blocks; and (ii) a flag area forrecording therein distinction information for distinguishing at leastone recording area which is already recorded from said plurality ofrecording areas, said flag area being divided into a plurality of flagunit areas, the distinction information being indicated by whether atleast one of the plurality of flag unit areas is a recorded condition oran unrecorded condition, said recording apparatus comprising: a datarecording device for recording the record data into at least one of theplurality of recording areas; a distinction information generatingdevice for generating the distinction information on the basis of therecorded condition and the unrecorded condition of the plurality ofrecording areas; and a distinction information recording device forrecording the distinction information generated by said distinctioninformation generating device into said flag area.
 10. The recodingapparatus according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of flag unit areascorresponds to the plurality of recording areas, respectively.
 11. Therecording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the distinctioninformation distinguishes one of the plurality of the recording areaswhich is already recorded on the basis of a combination of the recordedcondition and the unrecorded condition of the plurality of flag unitareas.
 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein theflag area is displaced on a position which is to be read before theplurality of recording areas are read.
 13. A recording apparatus forrecording record data onto an information recording medium including aplurality of recording layers, the information recording mediumcomprising: (i) a plurality of recording areas each of which consist ofa plurality of unit blocks for each of the plurality of recordinglayers; and (ii) a flag area for recording therein distinctioninformation for distinguishing at least recording area which is alreadyrecorded from said plurality of recording areas in one of the pluralityof recording layers, said flag area being divided into a plurality offlag unit areas, the distinction information being indicated by whetherat least one of the plurality of flag unit areas is a recorded conditionor an unrecorded condition, said recording apparatus comprising: a datarecording device for recording the record data into at least one of theplurality of recording areas; a distinction information generatingdevice for generating the distinction information on the basis of therecorded condition and the unrecorded condition of the plurality ofrecording areas; and a distinction information recording device forrecording the distinction information generated by said distinctioninformation generating device into said flag area.
 14. The recodingapparatus according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of flag unitareas corresponds to the plurality of recording areas, respectively. 15.The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the distinctioninformation distinguishes one of the plurality of the recording areaswhich is already recorded on the basis of a combination of the recordedcondition and the unrecorded condition of the plurality of flag unitareas.
 16. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein theflag area is displaced on a position which is to be read before theplurality of recording areas are read.
 17. A reproducing apparatus forreproducing record data recorded on an information recording mediumcomprising: (i) a plurality of recording areas each of which consists ofa plurality of unit blocks; and (ii) a flag area for recording thereindistinction information for distinguishing at least one recording areawhich is already recorded from said plurality of recording areas, saidflag area being divided into a plurality of flag unit areas, thedistinction information being indicated by whether at least one of theplurality of flag unit areas is a recorded condition or an unrecordedcondition, said reproducing apparatus comprising: a reading device forreading the distinction information recorded in said flag area; adistinguishing device for distinguishing the at least one recording areawhich is already recorded on the basis of the distinction informationread by said reading device; and a reproducing device for reproducingthe record data recorded in the at least one recording areadistinguished by said distinguishing device.
 18. The reproducingapparatus according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of flag unitareas corresponds to the plurality of recording areas, respectively,said distinguishing device distinguishes the at least one recording areawhich is already recorded on the basis of whether each of the pluralityof flag unit areas is the recorded condition or the unrecordedcondition.
 19. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 17, whereinthe distinction information distinguishes one of the plurality of therecording areas which is already recorded on the basis of a combinationof the recorded condition and the unrecorded condition of the pluralityof flag unit areas, said distinguishing device for distinguishing the atleast one recording area which is already recorded on the basis of thecombination of the recorded condition and the unrecorded condition ofthe plurality of flag unit areas.
 20. The reproducing apparatusaccording to claim 17, wherein the flag area is displaced on a positionwhich is to be read before the plurality of recording areas are read.21. A reproducing apparatus for reproducing record data recorded on aninformation recording medium including a plurality of recording layers,the information recording medium comprising: (i) a plurality ofrecording areas each of which consists of a plurality of unit blocks foreach of the plurality of recording layers; and (ii) a flag area forrecording therein distinction information for distinguishing at leastrecording area which is already recorded from said plurality ofrecording areas in one of the plurality of recording layers, said flagarea being divided into a plurality of flag unit areas, the distinctioninformation being indicated by whether at least one of the plurality offlag unit areas is a recorded condition or an unrecorded condition, saidreproducing apparatus comprising: a reading device for reading thedistinction information recorded in said flag area; a distinguishingdevice for the at least one recording area which is already recorded onthe basis of the distinction information read by said reading device;and a reproducing device for reproducing the record data recorded in theat least one recording area distinguished by said distinguishing device.22. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein theplurality of flag unit areas corresponds to the plurality of recordingareas, respectively, said distinguishing device distinguishes the atleast one recording area which is already recorded on the basis ofwhether each of the plurality of flag unit areas is the recordedcondition or the unrecorded condition.
 23. The reproducing apparatusaccording to claim 21, wherein the distinction information distinguishesone of the plurality of the recording areas which is already recorded onthe basis of a combination of the recorded condition and the unrecordedcondition of the plurality of flag unit areas, said distinguishingdevice for distinguishing the at least one recording area which isalready recorded on the basis of the combination of the recordedcondition and the unrecorded condition of the plurality of flag unitareas.
 24. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein theflag area is displaced on a position which is to be read before theplurality of recording areas are read.